Police seek answers to car thefts

Investigators silent on how vehicles were stolen from downtown dealership.

Investigators silent on how vehicles were stolen from downtown dealership.

November 30, 2005|PATRICK M. O'CONNELL Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Police continue to investigate the "uncommon" recent thefts of at least 13 vehicles from the downtown lots of Gates Chevy World. Street officers are on the lookout for the stolen vehicles and investigators are searching for at least one suspect after the Nov. 14 arrests of two people in connection with the thefts of six vehicles. Another seven vehicles have been stolen from the dealership during the past several months, South Bend police spokesman Capt. Phil Trent said. "We believe there is a pattern to this, we're just not sure exactly who or what or how it connects," said Trent, adding that high-volume thefts from car dealership lots are "uncommon for this area." "We haven't had these type of circumstances before," he said. Gates sales manager Andy Garing said he does not know how many cars are missing or how the vehicles may have been stolen. "We've handed this over to the police and that's what they're trying to figure out," Garing said. "We don't have a clue, right now." Although police have said they have an idea how the thefts were carried out, investigators are not disclosing details or whether they believe any current employee, ex-employee or person associated with Gates is believed to be involved. "We're keeping all of that confidential," Trent said. "That's the key to the case." One theory, police said, is that the vehicles are being stolen after they are unloaded from the delivery truck and before -- or as -- they make it on to the car lots. Many of the recovered cars, police said, have had the keys either inside or have been recovered from the suspects, lending credence to the theory. Six vehicles were stolen the weekend of Nov. 12 and 13, less than 48 hours before a man and woman were arrested at Beacon Heights Apartments on Curtiss Circle on the city's west side. The two suspects were spotted by an officer inside one of the allegedly stolen cars, and a stolen SUV was found parked outside an apartment nearby. Police had received a tip that another man was inside an adjacent apartment with a gun, but officers searched the unit and did not find anything. Gates employees reported to police they had previously recovered two other stolen vehicles. Car thefts across the city have been "fluctuating" this year, Trent said. Police do not believe the Gates theft ring is connected to any individual car thefts in South Bend. Car thefts tend to spike when winter weather arrives, as residents leave cars unattended for warm-ups or short jaunts into businesses, schools or houses. Police urge people to be sensible about how they leave their cars unattended. Staff writer Patrick M. O'Connell: poconnell@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6357